High-ranking police officials said Monday that an officer’s shooing of a 20-year-old man last week will be investigated thoroughly, but that initial evidence suggests the officer was fearing for his life when he fired his service pistol.

Killed in the incident was Gary King Jr. His death in the 5300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way set off controversy in Oakland, where family members and witnesses, rallying in front of City Hall hours before the police press conference, accused Sgt. Pat Gonzales of nothing less than murder — an allegation denied by police.

Gonzales, who was involved in at least two previous officer-involved shootings, including one in 2002 that left a man dead, remained on administrative leave Monday.

Under department policy, officers are given at least three days leave in such incidents. Gonzales could be back on duty as soon as Wednesday.

Questioned about Gonzales’ past, Police Chief Wayne Tucker said “it’s not the normal set of circumstances” for an officer to be involved in so many shootings. He said that does not mean he did not follow proper policy.

“We’ll be looking at (the past) as this investigation unfolds … but at this time we don’t see any pattern” of wrongful behavior, Tucker said.

The case will be reviewed by the department’s homicide investigators, internal affairs, as well as the Alameda County District Attorney.

Tucker said he was working to set up a meeting with King Jr.’s family — a meeting that family members said is overdue.

King Jr.’s father, Gary King Sr., was among those chanting “No justice, no peace” as a group of about 100 demonstrated in a noon-time rally in front of city hall.

King Sr., solemn-faced and unblinking, called for Gonzales’ removal from the force — and for criminal prosecution.

“This man is dangerous,” King Sr. said. “He needs to be prosecuted … he is a murderer. He destroyed our families.”